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National Express tells rivals: hands off our driver

DEAN FINCH, chief executive of National Express, has been handed a huge pay rise to stop him defecting to a rival.

Finch, who has been instrumental in stabilising the fortunes of the bus and rail group, has received more than one offer — from a private equity firm and from a rival transport company, believed to be First Group.

The National Express chief spent 10 years at First Group, where he ran its rail business and led its American division before becoming chief operating officer.

National Express last week confirmed that its chairman, John Devaney, will step down early next year. It moved quickly to retain Finch by awarding him performance shares worth £550,000, improved pension terms and an increase in his annual bonus from 125% of salary to 150% — equal to £825,000.

National Express operates services in Britain, Spain and North America. More than 700m journeys are made on its